An Oxford Township man is facing criminal charges after he allegedly assaulted his girlfriend for approximately five hours, including attacks with a two-foot metal cross, during the first night at their apartment on Brabb Rd. on Dec. 23.

Matthew Savage, 29, was arraigned on one count of criminal sexual conduct, unlawful imprisonment, assault with a dangerous weapon, interfering with electronic communication and aggravated domestic violence in front of Oakland County District Court Magistrate Judith Holtz on Christmas Day following the alleged assault.

He’s being held in the Oakland County Jail in lieu of posting a $250,000 bond.

Savage, who reportedly had been drinking most of the evening, began the alleged assault of his 31-year-old girlfriend at approximately 1 a.m.

According to the Oakland County Sheriff’s report, the female was punched numerous times in the back, stomach and legs before Savage smashed her head into the wall.

Savage then allegedly took down a 2-foot metal cross from the wall and began hitting the victim in the head with it.

The female tried to call 9-1-1, but Savage threw her phone against the wall and would not let her leave to seek medical attention.

When the female tried to leave, Savage allegedly grabbed her, pulled her back in and continued hitting her. The report noted Savage also “sat on her” at one point to keep her from leaving.

The report indicated Savage told the victim they needed to have sex during the alleged assault.

Savage eventually passed out, which allowed the female to escape and call for help. Oxford firefighters were called to the scene to treat the female, who suffered bruising to her arms and chest along with some marks on her chest and some swelling. She was transported to Crittenton Hospital, treated and released.

Firefighters also evacuated the three surrounding apartments because Savage said he opened a natural gas valve to the apartment, threatening to blow it up.

No gas leak was reported inside the apartment, but a storage room behind the apartment had a broken valve in it and the gas was turned off.

Savage, who left the scene, was later found driving through the Woodland Estates Mobile Home Park in Oakland Township. – Staff Writer Andrew Moser